Issues confronting households, such as nursing care, child care and poverty, have become more complicated. Local governments should organize services to deal with a wide range of problems to help people solve such worries.
The revised Social Welfare Law under which the central government will financially assist municipalities in upgrading and expanding their counseling services has been enacted. It is aimed at developing an environment in which residents find it easier to ask for help, by uniting services that are currently separated depending on fields.
Measures against the "8050 problem," in which households consisting of hikikomori social recluses in their 50s and their parents in their 80s become isolated from the community, must be implemented quickly. There is also the phenomenon of "double care," in which people must cope with raising a child while simultaneously caring for an elderly parent.
There may be many people in agonizing situations who have no one to turn to for counsel. It is important to set up places they can visit amid such situations. It is indispensable for municipalities to establish a system in which counselors can listen actively to all kinds of troubles and offer advice in an appropriate manner.
Forms the system might take include a one-stop service in which various consultation desks are integrated into one, or a system in which an official in a coordinating role makes arrangements with relevant departments or private bodies after an initial consultation at the office in charge. It is important to select a proper system tailored to local circumstances.
The city government of Nabari, Mie Prefecture, has set up "town infirmaries" in 15 places around the city to provide consultations in welfare and other fields. Furthermore, it has responded in a cross-sectional way by placing staff members as coordinators in departments covering fields such as elderly people, disabled people and child care. These efforts serve as a useful reference.
One problem is how to foster human resources.
There are many cases in which people seeking help are bounced from one section to another -- visiting counters for advice, only to be told, "Please go to another department." It seems many bureaucrats think issues outside their official purview are none of their concern.
In order to resolve such situations, it is essential to develop specialists who are well informed about the business operations of various departments and the system of organizations and have a wide range of contacts in and out of their own organizations.
It has been limiting to have only local governments provide support for households facing difficulties. It is hoped that local governments will offer generous support, drawing on the strength of their communities. Much will be expected of social welfare corporations that operate facilities for the elderly and other services and social welfare councils that help support people in need, as well as social workers and others who work to offer help.
The important thing is for local governments to share information on households needing support with such organizations and divide their responsibilities with them effectively. They must remember to inform residents where they should go to receive advice.
Under the revision of the law, a social welfare corporation can receive operating funds from other social welfare corporations. In addition, training staff members jointly becomes easier. Such steps are aimed at overcoming financial difficulties and personnel shortages. It is hoped that the relevant organizations will strengthen their management foundations and also make efforts to support households in trouble.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on June 17, 2020.
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